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for varieties that produce all-female flowers, such as ‘Bella’ F1, ‘Baribal’ F1 or ‘Saturn’ F1. These varieties will form fruits without you having to pollinate the flowers by hand.Good quality compostSmall potsWatering canPlant labelsApril - May10 - 15 minutes

-flowered varieties, which are available in a wonderful range of colours. Cyclamen seed10cm potSeeds & cuttings compostVermiculite Sheet of glassBlack polytheneJuly - August15 minutesJanuary - MarchBefore sowing, soak the cyclamen seeds in warm water for at least 12

exciting varieties to grow on yourself.Potted orchidSpecialist orchid compostOrchid fertiliserall year round20 minutesStand the young orchid plants in trays in the greenhouse, well out of any direct sunlight. If the compost looks very dry, water the plants

plants the following summer. Kept on a warm windowsill over winter, your cuttings will quickly develop roots and leaves. They'll be ready to plant out in spring, and will flower all summer.Established geranium (pelargonium) plantPlastic potsSeed compost

.Verbena plantsSharp knife10cm potsFree-draining compost (multi-purpose and perlite mix - see Adam's tip)Rooting hormone (liquid or powder)Clear polythene bags and rubber bandsJuly - September45 minutesTake cuttings in the morning when shoots are at their firmest

their thick, white, fleshy roots completely fill the pot. I'm never sure quite where the compost goes, but remove the pot from the rootball of an established plant and almost all you'll see is roots, with little compost remaining - just what's required

Primula e.g. 'Gold-laced' group x3Ophiopogon planiscapus 'Nigrescens' x1Glazed pot, 20cm diameterPeat-free, multi-purpose compostCrocks Watering canPlace a few crocks in the bottom of the pot for drainage. You could also use broken polystyrene or small

-lead plantersCrocks for drainageJohn Innes No.3 potting compost2 x controlled-release fertiliser tablets2 x 80 clear outdoor static fairy lightsPut a few crocks in the base of the pots, half fill them with compost and add a fertiliser tablet to each one

Crocks or polystyrene for drainageJohn Innes No.3 potting compost1 x controlled-release fertiliser tabletNoma 120 red outdoor static berry lightsAdd crocks to the pot, half fill with compost and pop in a slow-release fertiliser tablet.Position the holly in the centre

whenever you want them.May - JulyJuly - August30 minutes Herbs, e.g. basil, coriander, chives, rosemary, parsleyWindow boxDrillBubble wrapPolystyrene chipsCompostGrit Slate chippingsDrill holes in the bottom of the container and line the sides with bubble